Devils, Riveters to play doubleheader at Prudential Center

NHL partnering with NWHL to support development and visibility of girls and women's hockey in metropolitan area

NEWARK, N.J. -- Kiira Dosdall still remembers the only item she had written down on her Christmas list almost 18 years ago -- a New Jersey Devils cap.

Dosdall, 26, who plays defense for the Metropolitan Riveters of the National Women's Hockey League, can't believe she'll have an opportunity to play on the same ice as her favorite sports team as part of a NWHL/NHL doubleheader at Prudential Center on Saturday.

The Riveters will play host to the Boston Pride in their season opener (1:30 p.m. ET; NWHL.twitter.com) before the Devils face off against the Arizona Coyotes (7 p.m. ET; MSG+, FS-A Plus, NHL.TV).

"The Devils were my team and I was a big Scott Gomez fan," Dosdall said. "I've been following them the past 22 years. I'm trying to imagine playing at Prudential Center, but having never stepped on the ice in a huge arena before it's hard to vision."

The event marks the first time an NHL team is partnering with a NWHL franchise. The goal is to support the growth of the NWHL and increase the development and visibility of girls and women's hockey in New Jersey and across the metropolitan area.

The NWHL consists of four teams: the Riveters, Pride, Buffalo Beauts and Connecticut Whale.

"Anyone coming to the game is going to see that passion, speed and intensity right from the start because we only have 16 games in the regular season," Dosdall said. "To be part of this movement that the Devils are leading in showing their support is a huge opportunity for fans to also be part of."

The Pride hold a 9-3 lead in the all-time series against the Riveters, which began in the inaugural 2015-16 season.

"Boston has been a team that we've been neck-and-neck with and there have been a lot of close games," Riveters captain Ashley Johnston said. "It gets pretty competitive and pretty heated. It has everything you want in a great rivalry."

Dosdall also looks forward to battling her former roommate for six years, forward Janine Weber, who plays for Boston. Dosdall and Weber won four straight Austrian titles as teammates for the Vienna Sabres before they joined the Riveters for two more seasons. Weber signed a contract with the Pride as an unrestricted free agent on June 7.

"I'm sure I'll see her a few times and we'll have our game faces on," Dosdall said.

Tickets for the doubleheader can be purchased at the NWHL website (NWHL.zone).

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